2009 Winners – Roll of Honour

Environmental Champion

Winner – Manuela Wahnon

Manuela began her ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ campaign to pick up rubbish back in March 2009 and since then she’s been making her message known throughout the town. She’s been described as an asset to Andover and a person who has inspired people of all ages around the area to pick up their litter.

“I believe that Manuela deserves an award for her hard work, time and effort,” said one of her nominators.

Another person said: “She is the best friend, pal, neighbour one can have and a shining example of community spirited person you could hope to meet.”

Visit Manuela’s page on andoversound.com for updates on her ongoing campaign.

Community Champion

Winner – Steve Burbidge

Steve, from Andover, has been a strong supporter of The Gateway Club for adults with learning difficulties for many years through fundraising as well as offering practical help and friendship.

Many people will know Steve through his business, Burbidge’s Bakery in Weyhill Road.

His nominator, Mrs Bowsher, said: “He has supported the club I run, which has 60 members, for a great many years.

“The members love him all. He is great fun on our outings and doesn’t mind helping in any capacity.

“He is an outstandingly nice person.”

Good Neighbour Award

Winner – Sam Plummer

Sam is a Testway Housing tenant in Andover and has been described as being determined to give his local community in Admirals Way a voice to help get things done.

To help keep the nearby residents in the loop of what’s going on he took it upon himself to create a newsletter.

“Sam takes great pride in his area and joins estate inspection walkabouts with other residents twice a month,” said his nominator Lisa Dennett.

“He organises and chairs regular resident meetings in the local pub. From these meetings Sam has secured new cycle barriers, drop kerbs and bus shelters.”

Long Term Commitment Award

Winner – Jane Tarrant

Jane had been nominated for her many decades of dedication towards teaching people the art of handbell ringing.

Her nominator, Kathleen Gray from Goodworth Clatford, said: “Jane has taught handbell ringing in her home for 40 years to students aged eight to 80-years-old.”

As well as teaching students, Jane also takes her band to perform at various venues including different clubs and retirement homes.

“She asks in return a donation for her chosen charity totalling thousands of pounds.”

This year Jane has decided to donate any funds raised to Wessex Cancer.

Highly Commended – Lorna Tucker

Lorna is 81 years old and still teaching people of all ages to swim!! Her latest recruits are all the elderly members of the Peter Pan Club. She has given her time freely for over 50 years – remarkable!

Outstanding Volunteer Award

Winner – Ruby Simm

Ruby, who is in her 80s, has given up over 6,530 hours of her time to the British Heart Foundation.

She has worked in the Andover BHF shop for 16 years and according to her nominator she is most deserving to be recognised for her dedication.

“Ruby has a heart of gold and a determination to be of service to others,” said Julie Hatcher, manager of the BHF shop.

“She has given a mammoth commitment as a volunteer and has continued working at the shop despite many changers of managers, staff and upgrading of the premises. She would be overwhelmed if she were to be selected.”

Highly Commended – Marie Hook

Marie has been a Brownie Guider for 24 years and her pack can be seen in the Andover Carnival every year. She works with the children of Andover C of E school by day, is with them several nights a week through Guiding and then on Sunday can be found at the Andover Baptist Church teaching in Sunday School. What a star!

Highly Commended – Margaret Tindall

Margaret is a great supporter of the Guiding Movement – but she demonstrates it by getting involved for the past 20 years. Margaret runs her own unit and ensures her help is available to keep other units going.

Nominated by her daughter, Claire, she says her Mum is always helping out; at Naomi House and lending a hand to elderly groups too.

Contribution to Sport Award

Winner – John Goulding

Classed as ‘one of a dying breed’, John received four nominations for a Pride of Andover Award.

Born and bred Andoverian John plays a big part in Andover Athletic Club and is also a member of Andover Roadrunners.

John, in his 70s, still competes at high levels in running and helps to organise many events for the athletic club.

“He is always thinking of others and he’s a good friend to all at the Peter Pan club which he attends,” said Sandra Blowers.

“His chatter about life, Andover’s history, jokes and just about anything helped my struggle to fitness as it does with all newcomers he takes under his wing,” said Tina Trotter.

Highly Commended – Streets Ahead Football Club

This club just could not be ignored. This group of dedicated volunteers run football for anyone (yes anyone from 5 – 50) who wants to play football. They may be unable for one reason or another to join a local team or club but there is no stopping them at Streets Ahead. They have a large team of coaches who have a fantastic ‘can-do’ attitude that rubs off on all their members. Whatever their difficulty members may experience Streets Ahead welcome them in!

Citizenship Award

Winner – Glen Dawkins

Glen, from Andover, had been nominated for his work with the Youth Darts Academy, which he founded.

Through this Glen has unwittingly helped the children’s maths skills. Many school teachers cannot believe how a lot of the youngsters have improved with their maths due to them having to add up and take away scores in the heads very quickly.

One of his nominators described Glen as wearing his heart on his sleeve and always putting others before himself.

“Glen is a very respected person in Andover, I think he really does deserve something back,” said Mark Thorne.

Highly Commended – Don McEwan

Don is someone who makes an enormous contribution to his community. He is chairman, coach and teacher at Andover Swimming Club after going along many years ago, with his own children. He is also team manager of Andover Modern Triathlon Club, encouraging people of all ages to get involved. His nominator said ‘You can always rely on Don to be there for you.’

Carers Award

Winner – Amy Monaghan

Teenager Amy, from Andover, has been looking after her mother since she had a stroke eight years ago. She now has up to 30 seizures a day.

Amy, who is only 13, gets her mother dressed, helps feed her and does the cooking. The housework is also Amy’s responsibility.

“Amy’s life is all about caring for her mother and herself,” said her nominator Karen Betancourt-Jess from The Honeypot Charity which gives young carers the chance of a break.

Highly commended – Deirdre Phillips

Nominated by her daughter, Deirdre is described as ‘the most caring person in the world who deserves some recognition’. As if nursing a close relative through a series of massive medical procedures, caring for her blind partner whilst being made redundant three times wasn’t enough, Deirdre is now about to start a new career caring for ex drug abusers and alcoholics.

Courage Award

Winner – Alan Kellers

Alan, from Andover, displayed an enormous amount of bravery when he saved someone’s life in a road accident.

His boss and nominator Gareth Price was amazed at Alan’s courage when a Mini went over the A303’s central reservation near Amesbury hitting an oncoming van.

Alan, who was following the van, stopped his car and ran straight over to help.

He pulled the girl out of the Mini and went to the van which was on fire.

Despite the flames Alan managed to pull a young man out of the van and returned to attempt to get the second man out but he unfortunately was unable to save him.

Highly commended – Rebecca Smith

Nominated by her close friend Emma O’Reilly, Rebecca has shown enormous courage through a series of severe health problems. She nearly died from a clot on her lungs that moved to her heart which led to open heart surgery.

Emma says Rebecca is an inspiration to everyone. She continues to simply get on with life and live her life to the max- and with a smile on her face. When asked by Esther how she can do that she simply said ‘ she must be brave for her friends and family and help them deal with her health issues’.

Andover Vision Special Award

Winner – Bill Bowley

Bill, from Wherwell, has been heavily involved with the local community for about 60 years.

He was appointed volunteer organist at Bridge Street Methodist Church and 59 years later he still holds the position.

He has also given 40 years to Andover Choral Society and Whitchurch Choral Society for 15 years as organist.

When Bill retired 15 years ago he continued helping out the community and began driving as a volunteer for the Countess of Brecknock Hospice and the Meals on Wheels service.

“What a player,” said his nominator Robert Macey, “an unsung hero if ever there was one.”

Highly commended – Tina Elliman’s guide dog Elizabeth

Tina nominated Elizabeth because of all her charity work in schools. She takes Tina to all the local schools to educate the children about disabilities and Guide Dogs for the Blind. She also has lots of fun raising money for the charity. Tina says without Elizabeth she ‘simply couldn’t lead her life in the same way’. Elizabeth received an honorary bone which she seemed delighted with…although the long wait to get home and eat it felt like an eternity!

Mayor’s Award

Winner – Karen Hamilton

Karen was nominated three times for an immense amount of fundraising and charity work.

For over 20 years the Andover woman has been raising money for different charities and organising days out for the elderly.

Last year she managed to raise £130,000 for many charities.

“Karen will go beyond the normal boundaries to help and support people,” said Caroline Johnson Bowman.

“She always puts others first and constantly looking how she can contribute to the community,” said her partner Lee Brown.

Her mum Susan Collins also nominated Karen saying: “She is always giving her time to people, volunteering for all sorts of projects and never asks for anything in return.”

Heart of Gold

Winner – Reverend Jill Bentall

Jill lives in Penton Mewsey and her nominator described her as “true community champion”.

Jill has been involved in many community organisations including Church Friends, which she set up in 1994 for handicapped people.

During Jill’s time in the community she was also involved with a Community Group in Cricketers Way, Andover, for over 20 years and spent six years organising monthly discos in Smannell.

As well as all this Jill spent time as school governor and chair of governors at Roman Way Primary and Knight’s Enham Schools.

“Her involvement as a volunteer for seven other organisations is also highly commendable,” said her nominator Dorothy Page, “she is a true star.”

‘Spirit’ of Andover Award

Winner – Brian Page (who had absolutely no idea he was a nominee)

Brian has amassed thousands of hours of voluntary work for the community of Andover.

He has spent more than 25 years as chairman of the Andover branch of British Heart Foundation during which time he helped raise £360,000 for national and local projects.

The well-known and much loved figure has also donated time to Test Valley Community Services, Age Concern, Church Friends and Trinity Trust through which he spent 11 years serving homeless people.

He is a true hero of Andover and many people feel it’s about time all his many achievements are recognised.

“He is without equal in his commitment and achievements in our community,” said a past nominator.

The former mayor of Test Valley is a popular figure within the local community and without doubt he truly embodies what is the Spirit of Andover.